Apparatus for the separation of fluids



June 1,1943. BLIZARD 2,320,345

APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF FLUIDS Filed Nov. 22, 1939" INVENTOR Jmv .54/ZA/' ATTORNEY Patented June 1, 1943 APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF FLUIDS John Blizard, Garden City, N. Y., assignor to Foster Wheeler Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 22, 1939, Serial No. 305,632

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for the separation of fluids from mixture thereof, more particularly the separation of vapor and liquid from mixtures of the same. The invention will be disclosed as applied to the separation of steam and water in a drum of a water tube boiler, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular application, but it may be utilized generally in the separation of vapors and liquids from mixtures thereof.

In water tube boilers, mixtures of steam and Water rise in the heated tubes and discharge into drums wherein the steam separates from the water. The steam leaves the boiler through openings in the upper portion of the drum, and the water remaining in the drum, recirculates through the heated tubes wherein a further portion of the water is evaporated, and the separating process is repeated. In many steam boilers, particularly those which are operated at high specific rates of evaporation, the separation of water and steam is not complete, due to the fact that a portion of the water is carried off with the steam from the drum, and a portion of the steam iscarried back with the water to the boiler tubes. This incompleteness of separation is un desirable from the standpoint of the superheating equipment. and the steam consuming equipment.

The present invention overcomes this disadvantage and provides separating apparatus whereby steam and water or other vapors and fluids in admixture will be more completely separated in the steam drum or other enclosure.

The invention will be understood from the 01- lowing description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, and in which:

Fig. l is a transverse vertical sectional view of a boiler steam and water drum embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of another form of centrifugal separating means which may be utilized;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the separator shown in Fig. 2;

4 is a vertical sectional view of another form of separator, and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the separator shown in Fig. 4.

heated or steam generating tubes H, and a plurality of downcomer tubes l2. The drum is'provided with a steam outlet l3. The drum is separated into two compartments, A and B, by a diaphragm or partition l4 which extends longitudinally of the drum throughout its length. As shown, the diaphragm comprises an upper horizontal portion and a downwardly extending portion which engages the inner wall of the drum just upwardly of the outermost row of boiler tubes H. The diaphragm extends below the water level in the drum and separates the body of water entering the downcomer tubes I2 from the mixture of steam and water which enters the drum through the generating tubes H.

In the horizontal portion of the diaphragm are disposed a plurality of .short, tubular separating members l5 which are open at their upper ends and are closed at their lower ends, and have adjacent the lower portion thereof one or more tangential inlet conduits [6 through which the entering mixture of steam and water flows. The separating. members l5 are disposed with respect to the diaphragm 14 so that the tangential inlets are below the diaphragm and the upper open ends are above the diaphragm. The separating members extend preferably at spaced intervals throughout the length and Width of the horizontal portion of the diaphragm [4.

In operation, the steam and water mixture entering the drum through the tubes ll, moves upwardly in compartment B and enters the one or more tangential inlets l6 of the separating members l5. The steam and water mixture moves in a circular, upward path in each separating member, and centrifugal force causes the water to move along the inner wall of the separators, while the steam will take positions radially inwardly of the water. At the top of the separating members, the water will spill over the upper edge and will flow across the horizontal portion of the diaphragm to the bodyof steam Like characters of reference refer to the same I free water I! which supplies the downcomer tubes I2, while the separated steam leaves the central portions of the tubular members and enters the outlet 13 in the upper portion of the drum, from which it is conducted to a superheater, or to a point of use not shown. With this arrangement, the steam and water are substantially completely separated, so that dry steam is withdrawn from the drum and steam free water is delivered to the downcomers and to the boiler tubes.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the separating mem: ber I5 is provided with a central core it; which aids in imparting to the steam and water mixture the desired whirling motion to efl'ect complete separation of the steam and water.

In the form of separating member shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a whirling motion is imparted to the steam and water mixture by means of vanes l9, instead of by one or more tangential inlets. The vanes l 9 extend from, or are connected to, a central member 2| which is arranged to prevent the passage of steam and water therethrough. In this arrangement, the tubular member is open at the bottom and the vanes are disposed in the lower portion of the member. The steam and water mixture enters the separating member through the series of spiral passages zfl formed by the vanes I9, with the result that a whirling action is imparted to the mixture. The water will be thrown toward the wall of the separating member and the steam will be separated from the water, with the operation being carried out substantially as described in connection with Figs. I to 3.

In accordance with the invention, it will. be perceived; that the" component parts of the vapor liquid mixture are completely separated readily and 'efiicientl'y, and without thenecessity of utilizingcumbersonrearrangements. The operation is such that dryvapor is obtained and vapor free liquid is delivered to the vaporizing tubes of 'the vapor generator.

It will be understoodthat changes may be made in the particular form and arrangement of the various parts .of the apparatus illustrated without departing from the principles of the invention, which. is not to be limited excepting by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A steam and. water drum for a steam generator. having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum having a substantially horizontal portion and. a substantially vertically extending. portion, the partition being located to divide. the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubesrconnecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connectingv with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cup-shaped steam and.- water separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall, said member being disposed in the horizontal portion of said partition with its aXiS substantially vertical and with: its lower portion communicating with said chamber'andiitsopen upper portion in said space, the-lower portion-of said member having an opening therein through which a mixture ofsteam and water-flowsinto the member from said chamber, andmeansr for directing the steam and water mixture flowing into said member to impart a whirling motion. to the'mixture' in the member, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the 'm'em'ber'flowsupwardly therein in a substantially'spiral path, the'steam, and water bein separated: with. the separated water flowing along the upwardly extending wal of said: member and the separated? steam :flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said; space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

2. A steam and water drum for a steam genorator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extend ng partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cup-shaped steam and water separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall, said member being disposed in the partition with its axis substantially vertical and with its lower portion communicating with said chamber and its open upper portion in said space, the lower portion of said member having an opening therein through trough which a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from said chamber, and means for directing the steam and water mixture flowing into said memher to impart a whirling motion to the mixture in the member, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the upwardly extending wall of sa d member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and int-o the downcomers connected therewith.

A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extendingpartition. in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber,v said downcomer tubes connecting. with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cylindrical steam and water separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall, said member being disposed in the partition with its axis substantially vertical and with its lower portion. communicating with said chamber and its open upper portion in said space, the. lower portion of said member having an opening therein through. which a mixture of steam and water flowsinto-the member from said chamber. and means for directing the steam and water'mixture flowing intosaid member to impart a whirling; motion to the-mixture in the member, the arrangement being such that. the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a, substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the vertical wall of said member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member. the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

4. A. steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertically extending portion, the partition being located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a T space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portionthereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cylindrical steam and water separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall, said member being disposed in the horizontal portion of said partition with its axis substantially vertical and with its lower portion communicating with said chamber and its open upper portion in said space, the lower portion of said member having an opening therein through which a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from said chamber, and means for directing the steam and water mixture flowing into said member to impart a whirling motion to the mixture in the member, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral water and the separated water flowing into the l lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

' 5. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertically extending portion, the partition being located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cup-shaped steam and water separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall, said member being disposed in the horizontal portion of said partition with its axis substantially vertical and with its lower portion in said chamber and its open upper portion in said space, the lower portion of said member having an opening therein through which a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from said chamber, and means for directing the steam and water mixture flowing into said member to impart a whirling motion to the mixture in the member, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the upwardly extending wall of said member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

6. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamberQsaid downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cup-shaped separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall with an inlet opening in the lower portion thereof, and a tangentially arranged inlet conduit in communication with the inlet opening, said separating member being disposed in the partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet conduit in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from said chamber, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the upwardly extending wall of said member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

7. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cylindrical separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall with an inlet opening in the lower portion thereof, said member having a closed, lower end and an interior free of flow directing or impeding devices, and a tangentially arranged inlet conduit in communication with the inlet opening, said separating member being disposed in the partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet conduit in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water fiOWs into the member from said chamber, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the vertical wall of said member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

8. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and down omer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum having a sub stantially horizontal portion and a'substantially vertically extending portion, the partition being located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cup-shaped separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall with an inlet opening in the lower portion thereof, and a tangentially arranged inlet conduit in communication with the inlet opening, said separating member being disposed in the horizontal portion of said partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet conduit in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from' said chamber, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertically extending portion, the partition being located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for Water in the. lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cylindrical separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall with an in let opening in the lower portion thereof, said member having a closed lower end and an interior free of flow directing or impeding devices, and a tangentially arranged inlet conduit in communication with the inlet opening, said separating member being disposed in the horizontal portion of said partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet conduit in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water flo-Ws into the member from said chamber, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the vertical wall of said memher and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

10. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to' divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cup-shaped separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall with an inlet opening in the lower portion thereof, an axially disposed core in the separating member, and a tangentially arranged inlet conduit in communication with the inlet opening, said separating member being disposed in the partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet conduit in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from said chamber, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein about said core in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the upwardly extending wall of said member, the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member around said core, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated Water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

11. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertically extending portion, the partition being located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with .the lower portion of said space, a substantially cylindrical separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall with an inlet opening in the lower portion thereof, said member having a closed lower end, an axially disposed core in the separating member, and a tangentially arranged inlet conduit in communication with the inlet opening, said separating member being disposed in the horizontal portion of said partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet conduit in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from said chamber, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein about said core in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the vertical wall of said member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member around the core, the sepa rated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

12. A steam and water drum for a steam gen erator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cup-shaped steam and water separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall and an inlet in the bottom thereof, said separating member being disposed in the partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet end thereof in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water flows in to the member from said chamber, and flow directing means comprising a plurality of vanes disposed in the inlet and arranged to impart a whirling motion to the mixture in the member, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the upwardly extending wall of said member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

13. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cylindrical steam and water separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall and an inlet in the bottom thereof, said separating member being disposed in the partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet end thereof in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from said chamber, and flow directing means comprising a plurality of vanes disposed in the inlet and arranged to impart a whirling motion to the mixture in the member, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flowing along the vertical wall of said member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomersconnected therewith.

14. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertically extending portion, the partition being located to divide the interior of the drum into a chamber for a steam and water mixture and a space for steam in the upper portion thereof and for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with said chamber, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of said space, a substantially cup-shaped steam and water separating member having a substantially imperforate outer wall and inlet in the bottom thereof, said separating member being disposed in the horizontal portion of the partition with its axis substantially vertical and with the inlet end thereof in communication with the chamber so that a mixture of steam and water flows into the member from said chamber, and flow directing means comprising a plurality of vanes disposed in the inlet and arranged to impart a whirling motion to the mixture in the member, the arrangement being such that the mixture in the member flows upwardly therein in a substantially spiral path, the steam and water being separated with the separated water flow ing along the upwardly extending wall of said member and the separated steam flowing in the axial portion of the member, the separated steam and water flowing out of the open upper end of said member, the separated steam flowing into the upper portion of said space without further contact with the separated water and the separated water flowing into the lower portion of said space and into the downcomers connected therewith.

JOHN BLIZARD. 

